§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of Government plans to improve standards of education.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Government are committed to securing improvements in standards of education. In particular, we shall continue to encourage local education authorities and schools to develop and implement the Government's policies for the school curriculum. We shall promote improvements in the selection, training and deployment of teachers along the lines proposed in the White Paper "Teaching Quality" (Cmnd. 8836). We are extending the microelectronics education programme and shall respond to needs identified through the technical and vocational education initiative and the funding of projects to develop a more practical curriculum for lower attaining pupils. We shall introduce a Bill to enable grants to be made to local education authorities. The new Secondary Examinations Council will monitor examinations standards, and will offer advice on national criteria as a basis for a reform of the 16-plus examinations system. We shall seek further ways of widening parental choice and influence over their children's schooling and we shall continue to make available publicly her Majesty's Inspectorate's reports of formal inspection. In the higher and further education sectors, we shall continue to encourage the effective deployment of resources with an emphasis on provision for science, technology and engineering courses.